We're Going on a Bear Hunt....

Having been a firm favourite storybook of Isobel's, when I saw "We're Going on a Bear Hunt" as a childrens' Prom we had to go! Tickets vanished on the first day of booking, but a kind colleague organised 'member' tickets and we had excellent seats. Isobel was very excited and had changed into 4 different outfits before 7.15 this morning in her deliberation about what to wear.....We had a look at the Prince Albert memorial first - the gleaming gold appealed, before having an ice-cream (followed by a stand off from Elis as Daddy had, in seconds, demolished his ice-cream....so Mummy had to part with hers!) Despite a flake waiting to be eaten, Isobel was keen to get going.

It was a fantastic experience and to see Michael Rosen again (last time as a child in Perth), telling the story enhanced by an excellent selection of orchestral pieces together with illustrations by Tony Ross - drawn as the story unfolded and projected onto various large screens.

Bit blurry, but Isobel was taking it all in. Even Elis got into the idea of clapping at the end of pieces.

Isobel summed it up as lovely in the car on the way home and could we listen to it again. Thanks to technology, we could in an instant on my phone.....kids these days!

Round Two

Victoriana at it's best in the form of an old fashioned fun fair and a certain four year old loved it. Our walk to the park was  social whirl for her meeting various friends. This time last year Isobel wasn't sure enough to go on the merry go round herself so we rode together, but this year I think she was advised to stay sitting... - I think she would ride bareback if she could? Elis still not keen to try even the most gently of rides, but happy to watch and totter around:

Taking it all in:

Squeals of delight as Isobel bumps into her best friend from nursery - and off on the buses they go -

After a picnic lunch, the obligatory ice cream followed:

On the walk back home this front garden caught my eye - the tulips so vibrant. Front gardens/drives are becoming a slight obsession of mine as I try to find the right 'design' for ours:

Our Adventures in June

Looking back it has been quite a busy month:

Jubilee: We were having lunch on the Sunday when we decided at the last minute to all pile into the car and drive to Battersea and see the river pageant. Following on from nursery's jubilee tea (it was sweet), Isobel was decked out in her crown and make shift flag.

Typically when Richard drives we found a carpark space only 10 minutes away from the bridge, managed to meet up with Leonie despite the crowds and had a wonderful view from the bridge.

 

The following day, Auntie Heledd came to visit, which was very exciting for a certain little niece and after lunch we had some running around time at Greenwich Park:

Elis and Heledd

A couple of days later we were packed for the journey (with the kitchen sink) to Harlech for Richard's mum's 60th birthday party which has been in the planning for quite sometime. Both kiddies stayed up and Isobel had a ball thanks to the party planners - announcing the following morning she would like to go to another party......wish I  could have half her energy levels!

 Despite the wet weather we managed to get in some beach action and an ice cream before heading home:

Back home and a visit to work the following day. Having not been there since September it felt rather strange. As I write this I have 3 weeks and 3 days left of leave......so the journey in will become a familiar one, once more. It will be so strange leaving the kiddywinks. Anyway, onwards and upwards, Granny came to visit the next day and I realise I didn't take any photos!! Granny did though and I adore this one:

The following Sunday the weather looked promising so we felt a trip to the London Zoo was needed - something we have been meaning to do for ages. The tiger and monkeys were a big hit and Elis seemed to love being out and about. For me the giraffes were quite something - so graceful and serene:

Elis went for his first swim on Monday 18th June - perhaps wishing he had had a nap that morning:

Richard was off work on the Wednesday and Isobel had expressed a wish to see the lions in Trafalgar square - inspired by one of her favourite books - Katie in London . A fabulous guide book for little ones! So off we went - on a bus (great excitement), train (even more excitement) and thrills when the lions came into sight. Of course all the other tourists wanted to climb them too...

 

Then we nipped into the National Gallery Cafe - a jaunt Richard and Isobel used to do on a Thursday in days gone by. Look at this cupcake:

Can you believe we heard the words, 'I don't like it' - from the Queen of cakes! Daddy cashed in there.We then went into the Gallery - and it was wonderful - something I haven't done in such a long time I felt I was on holiday! Isobel attached herself to a school group and their talk on Renoir.

Lunch at Pizza Express and then onto another bus up to Regent Street. We braved Hamleys which I think Isobel found full on with all the 'demonstrators' and toys whizzing around. She was fine leaving there and the clothes shop (after my credit card had been used), but we had slight meltdown when it was time to leave the apple store - the kids corner with the ipads had her sitting quietly for ages - miracles do happen! Then it was home....

This month Elis has made many attempt to crawl and does move around somehow.....I also became an auntie again to little Sadie Florence - such a lovely name and can't wait to meet her. And as the weather dips up and down we still seem to be doing a fair every weekend.....steamfair last weekend aka wellies and lots of mud, and one each Saturday for the next fortnight.....Whay-hey!

Fair-tastic Fun

It has been a fortnight of fairs around here as part of the annual Dulwich Festival. In its seventh year the first one on Goose Green was fabulous and Isobel had a ball. Face painting, bouncy castle (still the favourite), donkey ride, sitting on a bale of hay eating paella and dancing to the the local ukelele band - all with her friends. And TWO icecreams - not sure how that happened!

 

 

Elis slept for most of it - maybe next year he will be up for more of the action

There was more face painting and ice creams at the Dulwich Fair this weekend and a Victorian Fun Fair. Sadly it was cold and windy so the Victorian Fun will have to wait for another day.

Regular Haunt

With the cold and sometimes wet weather, it is tempting to head to the French Cafe around the corner - once you are inside it transports you far from the character-less life of Forest Hill Road. Isobel calls it her favourite cafe - we have our usual seat just to the left of the door, I have a latte (sadly the days of pastries have had to go) and she has her smartie cupcake - and consumes only the icing. Usually Elis sleeps, but not for long today so it was a swift visit.

Days Out

A couple of weekends ago we had two expeditions. First was down to Whitstable in Kent where some friends were staying for the weekend. Isobel loved being by the beach and being with her friend Sophie:

Ducking around the Beach Huts

The Sun came out for the Fair

Intriguing Markets

Sunday we headed up to just South of Cambridge to see Liz, Dan and Natalie. The girls hadn't seen each other for months, but that didn't seem to stop them in their tracks:

First Wedding

Last Saturday Isobel attended her first 'real' wedding. I say 'real' as we did watch the Royal Wedding - little did we know she had taken so much of it in. She was quite insistent on her dress being held as she walked up the path to the church!

At the reception she teamed up with a girl slightly older - neither speaking each other's language, but that didn't seem to matter. It was quite a feat to drag Isobel away from the dance floor during the band's warm up (no qualms in asking men to dance (!) and make the trip home.

The Sun Appeared (albeit briefly...)

Feeling the sun on your back makes you feel full of spirits and energy - sadly it didn't last long, but before the rain settled in again (it's raining, it's pouring), Isobel thought it was time to get out her sunnies:

Motoring on her scooter

Let's go

Friday we were all home as it was half term so the three of us went out for lunch which was great. We decided Pizza Express was probably a safe choice. Isobel's menu went on and on....and of course the best bit was at the end - Sundae and babychino:

Then it was off to the shops to get some fruit and vege. Isobel insisted getting her Peppa Pig bag so she could pay and carry the grapes:

Yes she is still only 2.....(sigh).

Down to the Woods

I am not sure why we haven't gone walking in Dulwich Woods with Isobel before, but she loved it. The tall trees, tree stumps, birds singing and exploring:

Exploring!

King of the Castle on a tree stump.

We then came across a gorgeous little cubby house complete with seat. Isobel thought it was the perfect place to have her snack:

Daddy was invited in.

And so was Mummy.

Balancing on a fallen trunk was fun.

And at the end we went to have a look at the allotments - Isobel was intrigued by the tomatoes having picked three of her own yesterday.

Look - tomatoes

And the decking in our garden is still in progress.....really hoping it will be complete by next weekend so we can start planning some Autumn gardening....meanwhile Isobel helped Daddy sweep the newly laid one at the back:

Hard work, but some choc cake has given me some energy....